Cameras in classrooms: S.C. bill brings mixed reviews
FORT MILL, S.C. (WBTV) - As the new legislative session gets underway in South Carolina there’s a new bill that is already getting mixed reviews.
House Bill 3216 would basically put cameras in classrooms to make sure teachers are sticking to the curriculum.
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The bill would amend a current law and allow for the recording of all classroom instruction in kindergarten through 12th grade public school classrooms.
Senator Mike Burns (R), the bill’s author, says, “It would just put some guard rails up for a few of these rogue teachers and of course any of the teachers that are doing your job correctly they don’t have anything to worry about.”
Senator Burns says conversations about sexual ideology do not belong in the classroom; and there are other bills about parental rights in the medical field, and parental rights in education and his bill does the same so parents know what’s going on inside the classroom.
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“They really get upset when they’re taught stuff that’s not age appropriate or they’re given books and curriculum that are not age appropriate, and not approved by the schools or the board of education or any of that.” Burns said.
“Sometimes we wish we could record our students to show parents and say hey look, this is your child is sleeping through my class today. This is your child using their phone when they shouldn’t be.”
That’s what Sherry East told us. She’s a is high school science teacher— she’s also is the president of the South Carolina Education Association. She sent a poll out to teachers Wednesday morning about HB3216.
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“It just feels like a giant invasion of your personal space and privacy and just the level of unprofessionalism. We went to college to be teachers and it feels like that gotcha moment of we’re going to catch you doing something you shouldn’t be doing. So that’s the overwhelming response I got today.”
According to the bill, the individual schools are responsible for providing and maintaining the recording equipment. A use of public money East believes can be spent more meaningfully.
“We already have cameras in the hallways, we already have cameras for security purposes and we’re glad about those. But it just seems like an overstep coming into the classroom with them.”
Sandra Oliver said “I think we should have them there and I think that reasons they’re asking for them are incorrect.”
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“I feel like the younger kids don’t really know what they want to do in life, and this job fair is a great idea,” one high school student said.
Dalfred: Why would you like to see cameras in classrooms?
“I would like to see the students held more able. I like the instructors to be able to showcase what they’re doing.”
Kristy Buescher told us s can monitor what’s being taught instead of an all-seeing eye in the sky.
“The principal should be going in and observing or there should be a vice principal or counselor observing the teachers to determine that kind of information. I find the cameras to be a little bit intrusive” said Buescher.
Senator Burns says it’s like driving, if you’re following the speed limit you don’t care how many police are watching.
However, the education association question his motives, and have concerns about student privacy.
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